Well, Lonnie Chisenhall does. So does Nyjer Morgan/Tony Plush. They’ve both made the Opening Day roster. Morgan is the beneficiary of Michael Bourn’s injured hamstring; who will open the season on the 15-day disabled list, backdated to March 21. If I’m counting correctly, that means Bourn could come off the DL by the home opener on April 4.

I still have my doubts about Chisenhall’s ability to be a regular major league third baseman. He’s hit .308 in Spring Training, which would normally make me feel pretty confident about him going into the regular season, except that he hit .400 in Spring Training in 2013 and ended up going .225 for the season. Chisenhall did respond to the news that he made the Opening Day roster by homering in Monday’s win against the Reds.

Pitchers Trevor Bauer and CC Lee were optioned to AAA Columbus. They’ll have plenty of company, because late last week, pitchers Preston Guilmet, Frank Herrmann, and Colt Hynes and infielder David Adams were also sent to Columbus. Infielders David Cooper and Bryan LaHair and catcher Luke Carlin have been re-assigned to minor league camp. And if you missed the news, Aaron Harang was told this weekend that he would not be on the Opening Day roster. The Indians granted his release on Monday, so he still has time to go out and find another job before the season gets underway.

There are now 36 players in major league camp, but the 25-man roster looks pretty much set (at least until Bourn comes off the DL). The big question is still whether it will be Carlos Carrasco or Josh Tomlin as the 5th starter. Tomlin has a 2.57 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 4 starts/14 innings pitched this spring. Carrasco has a 5.17 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 5 starts/15.2 innings pitched. Tomlin starts today, but the numbers seem to be in his favor. But Carrasco is out of options and is also further away from Tommy John surgery than Tomlin. It would seem wiser to start Carrasco and let Tomlin start rebuilding his arm strength and endurance. What do you think?

Swift

“I still have my doubts about Chisenhall’s ability to be a regular major league third baseman.”

I don’t have any doubts… he’s not a regular major league third baseman.

Susan Petrone

You make me giggle like a schoolgirl.

Gvl Steve

Hi, Susan. I think Chisenhall can make a solid platoon player at 3rd base. If he faces only RHP, he could put up solid, above-average production. It doesn’t mean he will, but we’ve seen some glimpses of that ability so it is more than just potential. It’s not ideal for a 1st round pick to be a platoon player, but that’s better than having him bust and not be able to contribute at all. The team has the positional flexibility to have multiple platoons at 3B and RF.

As for the 5th SP, if this was a rebuilding year with low expectations, I would vote for Carrasco to start because he has a higher ceiling. But this is a contending year and every win is vital. Tomlin is the better starting pitcher right now, so I believe he should start and Carrasco should relieve. If Tomlin hits his innings limit or runs out of gas, then you can make a change later, either to Carrasco or Marcum or whomever. But this is no time to experiment or gamble on unrealized potential. The team is in a win-now posture and needs to break camp with its best 25 players.

The Doctor

this injured hamstring strikes me as the sort of injury that’s gonna linger all season. i predict a too-early return by bourn followed by 12-15 games of poor play, followed by a prolonged return to the DL. this has “won’t take the time to get fully healthy, but will return at multiple points in the season to play poorly for short stretches” written all over it.

Ross

And that’s why you are called “The Doctor.”

Gvl Steve

Lord, I hope it isn’t that way with Sizem, er, I mean Bourn. I’d rather he sit for twice as long now and come back running well.

D.P. Roberts

Wouldn’t it be ironic if Grady Sizemore turns out to be a healthier and more reliable center fielder this year than Michael Bourn?

Sean Porter

If ironic you mean “just our luck”, then yes.

I agree with the above sentiments, he needs to take his time and get totally healthy. I’d rather have him at 100% for five months than at 75% for six.

Steve T.

Definitely. Or maybe at 0% for the last three months of the season after struggling through the first half playing hurt.

Chris Burnham

Santana has been named the starting third baseman (and backup to Gomes), according to Bastian.

Paul Hoynes just tweeted that Carrasco is the 5th starter and Tomlin is headed to AAA.

The Doctor

ugh, carrasco in the rotation. how many (more) 3 IP, 6 ER performances must we see from him before he’s banished to the bullpen?

not that i think tomlin is some sort of gem, but at least he’s demonstrated some small ability to go more than 4 innings.

Wade

I’ve always wanted Lonnie to succeed. After he got booted out of USC he played ball at the community college right next to ECU where I attended. Baseball guys lived next door and I remember chatting with Lonnie before at a party. Little did I know he’d be drafted by my favorite club. I want him to succeed but I just don’t quite see it.

Susan Petrone

Quick Update: Carlos Carrasco has indeed snagged the 5th spot in the starting rotation. Josh Tomlin has been optioned to AAA Columbus instead of going to the bullpen. Scott Atchison and Blake Wood are rounding out the bullpen. I’m pretty happy with this. If Carrasco has a meltdown/throws at somebody again, Tomlin and Bauer are just down I-71.

Gvl Steve

If Bauer has to pitch before the all-star break for any reason we are in big trouble.

The Doctor

on a slightly related note, i couldn’t be happier about this miguel cabrera contact. there is just no possible angle you can approach that deal where it makes any sense. how many useful seasons will they get out of that – i’m thinking 5 if you’re being extremely generous. why would they not let the two years of his existing contract play out before making the decision on whether or not to overpay him? i’m fascinated by this, coming on the heels of attempting and failing to overpay scherzer for a “one of these years is not like the others” performance last season.

Ben

My first reaction to the Cabrera contract extension was “damn, we have to play him for ten more years.” Then I thought “wait, in ten years Cabrera will be a .250 hitter. Maybe this could work.”

Drew

that is correct. you will never ever ever convince me that one player is worth that much money. I know he is probably one of the best hitters to ever play the game, but there are 9 players on the field. I know the Detroit market is bigger than Cleveland but it isn’t LA or NY and his will be crippling to the Tigers once Miggy is over 37.

Gvl Steve

The Indians and Tigers live in different universes. Pizza pizza (Mike Illich) throws hundreds of millions around on a whim, while the Tribe doesn’t have two nickels to rub together for Masterson. The only thing that keeps teams like Cleveland in play is ridiculous contracts like the one Mig just got. Thirty million a year for a decade? lolololololol.